Spring suspension



July 9, 1935. I P. F. BARBIAN 2,0?,173

SPRING SUSPENSION Filed Sept. 25, 1933 Patented July 9, 1935 UNITED, TEs' PATENT OFFICE;

SPRING SUSPENSION Paul F. Barbiam'Chicago, m. p

Application September zaissaserialn z 690,793 w 7' claims. (01. 267-19 ing of thesprings by employing leverage action in "association with the'normal'spring action. The

effect is as if the flexibility of the springs were increased. Another purpose is to distribute a varied loadfweight'to an intermediate portion of the-frame. V Thereby Iextend the eifective lengthv along the frame along which the compressingaction takes place. Other objects will appear from time to time inthe course of the specification,

and: claims. v i r Iillustratemy invention more orlessdiagrammatically in' the accompanying drawing, wherein: I

Figure 1 is a side elevationj V Figure2is apartialside elevation ofa variant form of the invention; 1

Figure 3 is a plan View ofthe structure of Figure 2;

ure2; j r Figure 5 illustrates details; and

Figure 6 is a Figure 2. Y

Like parts; arev indicated by like symbols 5 throughout the specification and drawing.

A generally indicates an automobile side frame member. Pivoted to its rearward end, as at A isthe usual supporting spring A of semi-elliptical type; v w j 'B indicates generally the axle which maybe tied to the spring'as by the U-bolt-B and the nuts B The opposite end of. the spring A instead of being shackled to the frame, is pivoted to an intermediate link 0' shown in section in Figure 4. It has a fork C at one end which receivesthe eye of, the spring jth'roug'h which, passes the bolt C The linkage orleverage system which I employ may bedesciribed as follows: D indicates a link or 'lev'eragerrod pivoted as at D to the frame. It is provided at its, opposite'end with a fork-D which is pivoted co-axially with a similar fork D of anadjacent link D3 and'withthe .earlier mentioned link C. This will be clear, for example, in Figures '2 and 4. Another link D is shown as a'double link having separate side sections passing about the spring A It is pivoted to the link D as at D andiis rigidly secured to the member D as at'D The's'ecuring at this point may be eifected'by having opposed roughened portions scribed in furtherdetail, the same symbols'being "ure 2, for a larger wheel base,,separate pivots section along the line 6- -6 of scribed and shown.

ment. It will also be understood that the drawing positioned and held rigidly against relative rotation when adjusted. The spring A is also 5 pivoted to the link D as at l), by means of the member D to'which the U -boltsB are secured.

The structure for the opposite end of the frame is substantially identical and need not be deapplied to the corresponding parts" in Figure '1.

It will be noted,-however, that'whereas in Figure 1 the two links D are co-axially pivoted as atD to an intermediate portion'of the frame, in Figare shown. V. p

In order to securethe member'D in relation to the spring A I provide a lower plate below the spring, shown as v through which projectthe ey7bO1tS'E Each It has two apertures E eye-bolt has a stop washer E and an adjusting nut E at the lower end thereof, and a spring E l I V v compressed between the washer E and the lower Figure 4 is a section ,on the line 4-4 of Figface of the plate'E. In the operation of the device the plate E and the opposed portion of the member D jclamp against the opposite side of' :the spring E and-may slide somewhat therealong through a very slight excursion as the spring flexes and unflexes; To a slight extent there will bea rotation of the member D in relation to the eye-bolt E j It will be realized that whereas I have shown a practical and operative device, nevertheless, many changes may be made in size, shapetnumber and I disposition v of parts without departing from the 35 spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my drawing and my description to be taken as in abroad sense illustrative or diagrammatic, rather than as limiting me to :the specific structure herein de-' 40 For example, the leverage rods can be pivoted on theinside of the frame, andany suitable guide or brace employed to insure front spring alignis not intended as a working drawing, the parts 5 being in some of the views shown asof considerably heavier stock than would in practice be em-,-

ployed, this being done, for ease in illustration.

It will be noted that in Figure 2 I show in detail r H a friction brake or spring rebound take-up means including the extension of the link D the linkD .is secured directly to the frame.

not dependent on the employment of any such brake or take-up. On the other hand, it may under some circumstances be convenient and helpful and it is therefore illustrated.

It will also be understood that my device can be modified so far as is necessary in order to adapt for any of the various types of spring suspension or drive now employed by the manufacturers of automobiles. The present showing is based on its application to what is known as a Hotchkiss drive but it may with equal readiness be applied to other drives.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

I illustrate my invention as applied to what is known as a Hotchkiss drive in which the torque and twist of the rear axle ista-ken through the springs and a sliding'universal joint absorbs'the spring arc and stretch. This is in contrast to a torque tube drive. I I-obtain an effective increase of the spring suspension base by extending the effective length of the springs, or-by separating quite substantially the points of support between the frame and the opposite ends of the springs. I employ a system of links or levers in order to increase the spring flexure and the cushioningeffect of the springs.

Specifically, whereas one end of each spring A .to the frame well beyond one end of the spring and a link D which in effect is pivoted to the frame by a common pivot of the spring, being in effect pivoted to the frame by pivot A the end portion of the spring acting as a slight extension of thelink D and its associate part D The links D and D are secured by the intermediate link D to which the center portion of the spring A adjacent the axle B, is pivoted. 7

To permit movement of the parts the opposite end of the spring A is also pivoted to the linkage system, the link C being pivoted in relation to the end of the spring and also in relation to the inter- Y section of the links D and D The links D and D are preferably inclined to each other as shown, to prevent buckling of the system, that is to say, of upward buckling at the point of intersection of the links D and D Aconnection D between the members D and D 9, is rigid but adiustable, thus permitting the operator or the shop to adjust the grip of the members D and E on the spring. The actual snubbing action takes place by the engagement of the bulged lower portion D of the member .D with the spring. This acts as a spring friction brake and controls the rebound of the fram supporting part of the spring, I e

In the operation of my device the frame is supported on the springs at six points in the form of Figure 1, or at eight points in the form of Figure 2. The main leverage rod D remains in a generally fixed position, with a very slight oscillation, thereby snubbing the axle torque. The member D is a rotating rod extending rearwardly from the main lever rod D, and actually connected to the axle. D alternates the torque caused by brake action, and the rod or lever D remains in a generally fixed position. One spring end; is shackled, as by the link C, and the other Thereby the lifting action is forced to the frame supporting end. As the spring flexes, the rod D rotates slightly about its pivotal connection with the rod D, but the main rod D remains in a generally fixed position, with a very slight oscillation, and the axle torque is thereby snubbed.

I claim:

1.. In a spring suspension for vehicles, a semielliptic spring pivoted at one end in relation to the vehicle frame, a linkage between said spring and the vehicle frame including a link pivoted to the frame at a point substantially beyond the opposite spring end, a link pivoted to said first mentioned link, a pivotal connection between said second link and the spring intermediate the ends of said link, a snubbing connection between one end of said link and the spring, and an additional link connection between the opposite end of the spring and said link.

2..In' aspring suspension for vehicles, 9. vehicle frame, a semi-elliptical spring pivoted at one end in relation to said frame, a link pivoted intermediate its ends to the intermediate-portion of said spring, a link connection between one end of said linkand one end of said spring, a link connection between the same end of .said link and the frame, and a link connection between the opposite end of said link and the spring adjacent the connection between spring and frame.

3. In a spring suspension for" vehicles, a vehicle frame, .a semi-elliptical spring pivoted at one endin relation to said frame, a link pivoted intermediate its ends tothe. intermediate portion of said spring, a link connection between one end of said link and one end of said spring, a link connection between the same end of said link and the frame, and a link connection between the opposite end of said link and the hicle frame, semi-elliptical front and rear springs,

the front of the front spring being pivoted to the front endof the frame and the rear of the rear spring being pivoted to the rear end of the frame, a linkageconnection between each springand the frame including a link pivoted to each spring, an additional link connecting said link and said spring adiacent the free end of the spring, and an additional link, one end of which is pivoted to said first mentioned link, the other end of which is pivoted to the frame. I

5. In a spring suspension for vehicles, a vehicle frame, semi-elliptical front and rear springs, the front of the front spring being pivoted to the front end of the frame and the rear of the rear spring being pivoted to the rear end of the frame, a linkage connection between each spring and the frame including a link pivoted to each spring, an additional link connecting said link and said spring adiacent the free end of the spring, and an additional link, one end of which is pivoted to said first mentioned link, the other end of which is pivoted to the frame, said additional links being concentrically pivoted to the frame intermediate the springs.

6. In a spring suspension for vehicles, a vehicle frame, semi-elliptical front and rear springs, the front of the front spring being pivoted to the front end of the frame and the rear of the rear spring being pivoted to the rear end of the frame, a linkage connection between each spring andthe frame includinga link pivoted to each spring, an additional link connectingv said link and said spring adjacent the free end of the spring,- and an additional link, one end of which 7 is pivoted to said "first mentioned link, the other end of which is pivoted to the frame, said three links being concentrically pivoted together.

7. In a spring suspension for vehicles, a vehicle frame, semi-elliptical front and rear springs, the front of the front spring being pivoted tothe front, end of the frame and the rear of the rear spring being: pivoted to the rear end ,of the frame, a linkage 1connection between each spring and the frame including a linkpivoted to each spring, an additional link connecting said link and said spring adjacent the free end of the spring, and an additional link, one end of which is pivoted to said first mentioned link, the other endof which is' pivoted to the frame, said threelinks being concentrically pivoted together, said last mentioned'additional links being concentrically pivoted to the frame intermediate the springs.

PAUL F. BARBIAN. 

